ufcasey's review against another edition
3.0
This was enjoyable. Christine is the definition of a happy-go-lucky person while Wulfric is overly reserved to the point of being austere. This is a case of opposites attract, but first they must clash. 3.5 stars
cannable's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
teaandspite's review against another edition
5.0
By far my favourite of the Bedwyn books. What isn't there to love about a clumsy, cheerful schoolteacher and a repressed, haughty duke? Every part of this book is delightful. I particularly enjoyed that Balogh actually managed to surprise me with Christine's backstory. That doesn't happen very often.
My only real complaint is that often the combination of Balogh's understated writing style with Wulfric's restrained character took away all emotion from the text. There's an entire scene where Christine and Wulfric are arguing, but you can't actually tell from the dialogue. There needed to be more of something to get the point across. Yes, Wulfric is reserved after a lifetime of being taught to repress his emotions, but if I can't tell that he's lost more control than he ever has in his life until he's thinking back on it later there is a very real problem with the writing.
All in all though, I'm happy to excuse a few technical writing flaws for my favourite duke. Right up there with Darcy/Elizabeth for favourite Grumpy/Sunshine pairings.
My only real complaint is that often the combination of Balogh's understated writing style with Wulfric's restrained character took away all emotion from the text. There's an entire scene where Christine and Wulfric are arguing, but you can't actually tell from the dialogue. There needed to be more of something to get the point across. Yes, Wulfric is reserved after a lifetime of being taught to repress his emotions, but if I can't tell that he's lost more control than he ever has in his life until he's thinking back on it later there is a very real problem with the writing.
All in all though, I'm happy to excuse a few technical writing flaws for my favourite duke. Right up there with Darcy/Elizabeth for favourite Grumpy/Sunshine pairings.
annsilver's review against another edition
4.0
4.25/5 stars
I really quite enjoyed this one. I have been not-so-patiently anticipating Wulf’s book while rushing through those before his. And I was not disappointed. As I was reading his siblings’ stories, I wondered what type of woman Mary Balogh thought would be the type to crack Wulf’s “never marrying” pledge, and I think she got it right. The full-of-life (yet still flawed) character to offset his live-for-duty character, the personable, social, lovable character to offset his stoic, aloof, antisocial character. I feel like it’s the only thing that would’ve worked to make his shell crack and for him to become closer to his family.
I’m not sure why but the ending felt rushed to me and I guess that’s why it wasn’t a perfect 5 stars for me.
I really quite enjoyed this one. I have been not-so-patiently anticipating Wulf’s book while rushing through those before his. And I was not disappointed. As I was reading his siblings’ stories, I wondered what type of woman Mary Balogh thought would be the type to crack Wulf’s “never marrying” pledge, and I think she got it right. The full-of-life (yet still flawed) character to offset his live-for-duty character, the personable, social, lovable character to offset his stoic, aloof, antisocial character. I feel like it’s the only thing that would’ve worked to make his shell crack and for him to become closer to his family.
I’m not sure why but the ending felt rushed to me and I guess that’s why it wasn’t a perfect 5 stars for me.
illusie's review against another edition
2.0
The duke remained too standoffish, which is why I didn't really like him or the romance.
etprincipalis's review against another edition
4.0
Wow!! Finally!!
I'm coming out of reading a streamline of highly recommended books which I didn't enjoy. Thankfully, I decided to pick this one up, after someone on Reddit listed it as one of their favorite romance novels, and I have to say I am very pleased.
First of all, I found it to be refreshing in a historical romance novel to have a main female character whose future wasn't dictated by having the main male character "ruin" her. Christine, being already a widow, was afforded freedoms other ladies wouldn't have, which also gave the author the opportunity to expand the interactions between the main couple to a degree which felt realistic.
I really liked both main characters individually and as a couple, I believe they really brought out the best in each other, with Christine gaining more confidence in herself and her own self-worth, and Wulfric realizing that there's more to him than the Duke persona he poses to everyone he meets, him learning to accept both parts of him, the duties of being a Duke and the wild young man he still had inside him showed a fascinating character growth.
The parallels drawn between the first time they were together (hastily, impersonally and impulsively) to the last time in the novel (slow, lovingly, and without regrets) were a true testament to the author's story building.
This was the first novel I've read from Mary Balough, and I'm quite certain I will be going through the rest of her books in the future.
I'm coming out of reading a streamline of highly recommended books which I didn't enjoy. Thankfully, I decided to pick this one up, after someone on Reddit listed it as one of their favorite romance novels, and I have to say I am very pleased.
First of all, I found it to be refreshing in a historical romance novel to have a main female character whose future wasn't dictated by having the main male character "ruin" her. Christine, being already a widow, was afforded freedoms other ladies wouldn't have, which also gave the author the opportunity to expand the interactions between the main couple to a degree which felt realistic.
I really liked both main characters individually and as a couple, I believe they really brought out the best in each other, with Christine gaining more confidence in herself and her own self-worth, and Wulfric realizing that there's more to him than the Duke persona he poses to everyone he meets, him learning to accept both parts of him, the duties of being a Duke and the wild young man he still had inside him showed a fascinating character growth.
The parallels drawn between the first time they were together (hastily, impersonally and impulsively) to the last time in the novel (slow, lovingly, and without regrets) were a true testament to the author's story building.
This was the first novel I've read from Mary Balough, and I'm quite certain I will be going through the rest of her books in the future.
maddyrempel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
haewilya's review against another edition
4.0
Wulf has been worming his way into my heart from the very first book in the Bedwyn series. I absolutely loved him here. I liked that he wasn't apologetic about his duke-ishness (did I just invented a new word? :P) but stressed instead that it is not all there is to him. I liked the heroine well enough but I kept on having this image of a mature woman that still behaves like a teenager. I have no problem with joie de vivre, the image just doesn't click for me. Upon second read though, she doesn't come across as ... weird.
allysunsun's review against another edition
5.0
Best book in the series by far. I adore Wulfric and Christine!
gonturans's review against another edition
5.0
Man Rediscovers Emotions, Remains Repressed, the novel. Honestly it’a probably more accurate to how a ~*~*duke of the time would be, emotionally, and I do love Christine not settling and being content to be alone if it meant happiness